don’t misbehave!
30 September – 12 November 2006
Christchurch, New Zealand

24 March 2006 PRESS RELEASE – Curatorial Theme Announced
From: Art & Industry Biennial Trust

The Art & Industry Biennial Trust is launching the fourth SCAPE 2006 Biennial of Art in Public Space. New Zealand’s only international contemporary art biennial dedicated to public art.


Unique for 2006 is the pairing of a national and international curator who will develop an overall strategy for SCAPE. Natasha Conland (New Zealand) and Susanne Jaschko (Germany) have devised an entirely new thematic direction for Art & Industry’s SCAPE 2006 Biennial of Art in Public Space.


Their title for the SCAPE 2006 Biennial is don’t misbehave!. Playfully alluding to the unspoken rules for art in public space, this title alerts audiences to how art might alter an audience’s behaviour and experience of public space. As an imperative don’t misbehave! implies an ironic opposition in the face of this voice of authority. The curators are looking for work by artists who enjoy actively engaging their audiences, stimulating their perceptions of public space.


don’t misbehave! runs for a 6-week period, during which Christchurch’s public space will work as an interface between artists and audiences, creating a highly active environment and festival-like atmosphere within the urban area of the city. Within this context all parties, artists and audiences must decide how they want to ‘behave’ in relation to the event!


SCAPE 2006 don’t misbehave! will include an outdoor and indoor exhibition of three-dimensional, performative, sound and time-based art. Within these parameters, don’t misbehave! will invoke a diverse understanding of art’s interaction with ‘the public’ and public spaces. Traditionally the realm of three-dimensional practice, don’t misbehave! will look at all existing infrastructure and facilities, physical and non-physical which inform a contemporary understanding of the public and their sphere of activity.


don’t misbehave! is an impressive programme which reflects the Trust’s philosophical goal of pairing art with industry; acknowledging and articulating this unique relationship while delivering a distinctive national/international outcome for Christchurch.


Look out for the list of artists which will be announced at the end of June. The SCAPE 2006 programme will be announced at the beginning of September 2006.


SCAPE 2006 Major Sponsors are: Canterbury Community Trust, Christchurch City Council, Creative New Zealand, New Zealand Community Trust; Goethe Institut and the Scottwood Trust.


For information contact:
Deborah McCormick, Director

Art & Industry Biennial Trust
Room 205, Old Chemistry Building
The Arts Centre of Christchurch
P.O Box 763
Christchurch 8015, New Zealand

tel: 64 3 365 7990
fax: 64 3 365 7994
email: ArtandIndustry@xtra.co.nz